THE COMMAND CENTER

by SMJ .

FULL-LENGTH (Draft as 7.1.24)
Five apprentices at a high-profile regional theater known for developing new plays are finally thrown a bone after working for a year. They get a coveted production slot in the summer season after one of the apprentices scores a commission from Hasbro to write a Power Rangers-based play. On the day of opening, the arrival of a Hasbro executive, a double-booked venue, cell phones...

FULL-LENGTH (Draft as 7.1.24)
Five apprentices at a high-profile regional theater known for developing new plays are finally thrown a bone after working for a year. They get a coveted production slot in the summer season after one of the apprentices scores a commission from Hasbro to write a Power Rangers-based play. On the day of opening, the arrival of a Hasbro executive, a double-booked venue, cell phones that never stop ringing, and another awkward encounter with the Artistic Director Lindsay in their housing causes the day to head into a tailspin as emotional distress that has been repressed rises to the surface: dying parents, panic attacks, body issues, food scarcity, economic anxiety, and sexual tension. THE COMMAND CENTER explores how theater isolates people, how theater creates community, and how the theater industry… and Power Rangers exploit young people.

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THE COMMAND CENTER

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: THE COMMAND CENTER by SMJ .
    “

    I love the American Theatre but I hate how much it can exploit and harm young artists. SMJ does a great job at showing the dangers of the apprenticeship system. They manage to do this while also writing a hilarious and romantic play. Lindsay is obviously a despicable person but even she is made human. The dynamic between the apprentices is messy but I couldn't help but root for all of them. This play features lot of stage directions that will require stage magic and I'm all for it.

    I love the American Theatre but I hate how much it can exploit and harm young artists. SMJ does a great job at showing the dangers of the apprenticeship system. They manage to do this while also writing a hilarious and romantic play. Lindsay is obviously a despicable person but even she is made human. The dynamic between the apprentices is messy but I couldn't help but root for all of them. This play features lot of stage directions that will require stage magic and I'm all for it.

    ”
  • Lizz Mangan: THE COMMAND CENTER by SMJ .
    “

    I've been in love with this play ever since hearing an early draft back in 2018. Since then, SMJ has continued to craft an exceptional and out-of-this-world (literally) narrative that takes the seemingly every-day occurence of a childhood favorite show getting rebooted, and completely turns it on it's head. With friendship, romance, and action that is queer to the core of its exploration, this play will make you fall in love with the women you meet, and will take you on an unforgettable journey.

    I've been in love with this play ever since hearing an early draft back in 2018. Since then, SMJ has continued to craft an exceptional and out-of-this-world (literally) narrative that takes the seemingly every-day occurence of a childhood favorite show getting rebooted, and completely turns it on it's head. With friendship, romance, and action that is queer to the core of its exploration, this play will make you fall in love with the women you meet, and will take you on an unforgettable journey.

    ”

Character Information

  • Rebel
    Lead in the Play / Red Power Ranger
    Education Apprentice
    25
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Kim
    Lead in the Play / Pink Power Ranger
    Education Apprentice
    22
    BIPOC
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Kira
    Lead in the Play / Blue Power Ranger
    Education Apprentice
    22
    BIPOC
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Carter
    Lead in the Play / Yellow Power Ranger
    Education Apprentice
    23
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Izzy
    Writer & Director of the Play
    Education Apprentice
    20
    Latino
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Zoey
    Lead in the Play / Green Power Ranger
    Education Apprentice
    23
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Lindsay
    The Artistic Director of the Theater
    Uh... kinda gives Alison Brie on Community vibes.
    Early 30s
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Historically Close Friends (Burlington, VT), 2024
  • Reading, Cold Read Series, 2023
  • Reading, Eleventh Hour Theater Company at Otterbein University, 2019
  • Reading, Blue Gene's Pub at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center (Waterford, CT), 2018
  • Workshop, ANDTheatre Company (New York, NY), 2018
  • Reading, ANDTheatre Company (New York, NY), 2018
  • Residency, National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, 2018

Production History

  • Workshop, Who What Where Theater Collective (Virtual), 2022
  • Workshop, EMC & SMJ (Virtual), 2020

Awards

  • Normal Ave's NAP Series
    Normal Ave
    Semi-Finalist
    2018